Hubert Sumlin
I KNOW YOU
Analogue - 2004
visit Hubert's website
and on myspace
also available on cd universe
This is one of the most comfortable feeling disc that I've heard in a long time. You know those nights where you were just sitting around doing a bit of this or that and a friend stopped by and you got to jawin' and playing a bit, and then a few more friends drop by and pretty soon there is lots of pickin' and grinin' just floating around the room. Everybody is feeling loose and taking all the risks they want to because there is no pressure to perform, just the feeling of wanting to show off the new licks you just learned or those you figured out and see them give you that knowing look. You sitting there knowing that the tape is rolling and its all going on down with that gut pulling feeling that just happens every so often, but never too often or when you try for it. Hubert was with Howlin' Wolf in those seminal times back in the mid 50s. He played with Jimmy Rogers and is joined here by Jimmy's son, Jimmy D. Lane, and also Jimmy senior's rhythm section of Freddie Crawford and Sam Lay. From those oh so familiar opening notes of I'M COMING HOME, through all those familiar tunes that he wrote (including the takeoff versions of some standards like "SMOKESTACK") and the 2 written by his former band leader Chester Burnett, right down to the ending of the shuffling GOOD BYE, this is an easy trip through the blues bars of Chicago, when the music was played for the sheer joy of the occasion. When there was a vibrant and growing blues scene that had to be search out for those that didn't know, and was readily accessible for those that had a "look". It was music that was played for the emotion that it portrayed, the licks you could show off, or just the sheer joy of getting up there and 'fitting in' with the band leader of the smoky joint you were at. Listen to the pain and feeling that rip apart the slow torturous feeling expounded upon in I'VE BEEN HURT. Where the mood of the song is so echoed in the tight work between guitar, harmonica, and organ that it spins your guts into a knot. This is music played by musicians that respect each other and the long traditions that
they come from. These are the people who spent the time honing their craft and imbuing it with all the emotional integrity that their lives contain. This disc is filled with the instantly recognizable guitar licks that Hubert Sumlin established during the years he was the guitar voice of the historic and great Howlin' Wolf band. This is a disc that must not be overlooked in the glut of blues recordings that are now being released. Listen to the respect and years of playing that come to the forefront in this disc. It is a rare gem.
Songs, times and writers - all songs written by Hubert Sumlin except where noted
1 I'M COMING HOME - 3:59
2 HOWLIN' FOR MY DARLING - 3:47 - Chester Burnett
3 THAT'S WHY I'M GONNA LEAVE YOU - 8:31
4 HOW MANY MORE YEARS - 4:01 Chester Burnett
5 DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY THE COVER - 3:30
6 I GOT IT WHERE I WANT IT - 5:52
7 I'M NOT YOUR CLOWN - 4:04
8 "SMOKESTACK" - 4:37
9 I'VE BEEN HURT - 7: 16
10 MIND IS RAMBLING - 3:22
11 YOU MY BEST 3:02
12 GOOD BYE - 4:25
Musicians
Hubert Sumlin - vocal/guitar
Jimmy D. Lane - guitar
Freddie Crawford - bass
Sam Lay - drums
David Krull - piano/organ
Carey Bell - harmonica